Cost-Utility Analysis of a Group Mindfulness Program Compared to an Education Support Program for Breast Cancer Survivors With Cognitive Impairment: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Hongdao Meng, Cecile A Lengacher, Rio Tate, Carmen Rodríguez, Kevin E Kip, Jong Y Park, Gizem Hueluer, Anh Thy Nguyen, Sandra Morgan, Sara Tinsley, Britney Veal, Anisha Joshi, Mahathi Krothapalli, Sreenidhi Nidamanur, Charles Cox, Lynne S Padgett, Manolete S Moscoso, Elizabeth Bornstein, Jean M Lucas, Tamela Fonseca, Kristine A Donovan, Ramya Chamkeri, Richard R Reich
Psycho-Oncology July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/pon.70220 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 181 |
| Population | Breast cancer survivors |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer Breast Cancer Education Support |
| Duration | Baseline through 26 weeks |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Cancer Cost analysis Economic analysis Health economics |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer was likely cost-effective compared to an education support program, with lower average costs and a small QALY gain over six months. |
Abstract
To conduct an economic evaluation of a group mindfulness program compared to an education support program for breast cancer survivors (BCS). The cost-utility analysis (cost per quality-adjusted life year [QALY]) was performed from a single-center randomized controlled trial in the United States. Data from 181 BCS were included in the analysis (91 from the mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer, MBSR(BC) and 90 from the Breast Cancer Education Support, (BCES)). Analyses were conducted from two perspectives: societal and healthcare system. The EuroQol EQ-5D-5L was used to measure quality of life and the Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) was used to measure health services utilization from baseline through 26 weeks. The impact of MBSR(BC) on health services utilization and costs was estimated with generalized linear models. In the reference case analyses (societal perspective), the average total cost in the MBSR(BC) group was $5744 compared with $6140 in the BCES group. At the end of follow-up, the MBSR(BC) group dominated BCES in terms of Incremental Cost Utility Ratio (ICUR), with MBSR(BC) providing an incremental cost of -$541 (95% CI: -$3400, $2318) and a 0.021 QALY (95% CI: -0.014, 0.055). Net monetary benefit (NMB) analysis showed that MBSR(BC) has a higher probability of achieving positive NMB across a range of possible societal willingness-to-pay for improving quality of life. Our findings suggest that MBSR(BC) is likely to be cost-effective for breast cancer survivors over 6 months. Cost savings primarily resulted from reduced ER and hospital admissions and tests.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Cost-effectiveness of providing university students with a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce psychological distress: economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open November 23, 2023
- Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Supported Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Self-help Compared With Supported Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Self-help for Adults Experiencing Depression: The Low-Intensity Guided Help Through Mindfulness (LIGHTMind) Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry May 1, 2023
- Face-to-Face and Internet-Based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Compared With Treatment as Usual in Reducing Psychological Distress in Patients With Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology June 28, 2018
- Feasibility of the mobile mindfulness-based stress reduction for breast cancer (mMBSR(BC)) program for symptom improvement among breast cancer survivors. Psycho-Oncology February 1, 2018
- Cost-effectiveness of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Usual Care Among Adults With Chronic Low Back Pain. Spine October 15, 2017
and 3 more in the library